North Bay Shore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
460.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.46
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In North Bay Shore, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Bay Shore | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -54% |
| Washing Machine | 7.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -40% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Bay Shore compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Bay Shore, New York | 174 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Brentwood, New York | 140 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bay Shore, New York | 170.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Islip, New York | 115 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| West Islip, New York | 151 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Bay Shore compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Bay Shore | 174 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Bay Shore's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Bay Shore, New York, in Suffolk County — an unincorporated Suffolk County community adjacent to Bay Shore and Brentwood, on the South Shore of Long Island near Great South Bay — receives its municipal water from the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), drawing from the Magothy Aquifer through production wells in south-central Suffolk County.
The moderately hard 174 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 460.3 mg/L are consistent with the south Suffolk County Magothy Aquifer's deeper, more mineralized character — harder than the shallower Upper Glacial Aquifer (Ronkonkoma: 70.5 mg/L) and similar to the south Nassau Magothy wells (East Massapequa: 172.5 mg/L, TDS 454). The Cretaceous Magothy Formation in the Bay Shore-North Bay Shore area provides moderately hard, elevated-TDS water from the longer-residence-time Cretaceous marine sand aquifer.
At 174 mg/L, North Bay Shore's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Long Island MacArthur Airport (Islip, Suffolk County — AFFF use), the Brookhaven National Laboratory (Suffolk County DOE facility), and the south Suffolk industrial PFAS complex contribute to North Bay Shore's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: North Bay Shore in Suffolk County draws from Suffolk County Water Authority on the Magothy Aquifer (south central Suffolk County, Long Island) — the Magothy Aquifer consists of Cretaceous Magothy Formation glauconitic sand (Long Island central south shore) — Long Island south Suffolk Cretaceous Magothy Aquifer produces moderately hard water at 174 mg/L with elevated TDS 460 mg/L in this Suffolk County New York community.